The Prophet’s Forbearance

27/03/2010| IslamWeb

Allah The Almighty praised the Prophet, , and all his qualities, one of which is forbearance. It was a distinctive sign of his morality, as he was insulted by all classes of society. Poets satirized him, Quraysh’s chiefs mocked him and reckless people threw stones at him and accused him of being a magician and of being insane. He was also subjected to other forms of harm, all of which he endured with forbearance, patience and forgiveness. He would ask Allah The Almighty to forgive and have mercy on those who harmed him. Allah The Almighty Says (what means):

·        {And indeed, you are of a great moral character.}[Quran 68:4]

·        {So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you.}[Quran 3:159]

 

Relating all the examples of forbearance and forgiveness of the Prophet, , would take an extremely long time, so we will mention only a few examples:

 

1- When the Prophet, , went to the tribe of Thaqeef seeking their protection from the harm he was being subjected to by his people, the chiefs of Thaqeef were rude and harmed him greatly, even instructing their children to pelt him with stones. The Prophet, , was grieved and exhausted, so he fell unconscious. He only became conscious when Jibreel (Gabriel), may Allah exalt his mention, came to him and told him that Allah The Almighty had sent the Angel of the Mountains with a message saying, "O Muhammad! If you wish, I will make Al-Akhshabayn (two huge mountains located in Makkah) fall on them." The Prophet replied: “No. Rather, I hope that Allah The Almighty will let them beget children who will worship Him Alone, and will worship none beside Him.” [Al-Bukhari] What mercy, gentleness, forgiveness and forbearance can compare to that of the Prophet, ?

 

2- On the day of the Battle of Uhud, the face of the Prophet, , was injured and his front teeth were damaged. The Companions took it with great difficulty and told the Prophet, , to supplicate against the disbelievers. However, the Prophet, , said: “I was not sent as an invoker of curses. Rather, I was sent as a mercy.” [Muslim]

 

3- Once, At-Tufayl ibn ‘Amr Ad-Dawsi, may Allah be pleased with him, went to the Prophet, , and asked him to supplicate against the people of Daws because of their disobedience. The Prophet, , raised his hands towards the direction of the Qiblah (direction of prayer), and said: “O Allah guide Daws to the right path.” [Al-Bukhari]

 

4-Once a Bedouin came to the Prophet, , and pulled his cloak so violently that it left marks on his neck. Then the Bedouin said, “Order that I be given some of the wealth of Allah The Almighty that is at your disposal." The Prophet, , looked at him and smiled, while his Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, were furious at what was happening and amazed that the Prophet, , was smiling and so forgiving. Despite all that the Bedouin did, the Prophet, , ordered his Companions to give him something from the treasury.

 

5- The greatest example was his forbearance with the people of

Makkah after they had driven him out his most beloved city. When the Prophet, , was supported by Allah The Almighty and conquered Makkah and entered it victoriously, he said to the disbelievers: “What do you think I am about to do with you?” They replied, “We hope for the best. You are a noble brother, son of a noble brother.” The Prophet, , then said: “I say to you what my brother Yoosuf [Joseph], may Allah exalt his mention, said to his brothers: {No blame will there be upon you today. Allah will forgive you; and He is the most merciful of the merciful.}[Quran 12:92] Go on your way for you are all free.” [Al-Bayhaqi]

 

6 - Another example of his forbearance is that he never hit a woman or a servant. He never took revenge from any one who oppressed him physically or financially, and always used to forgive and pardon people. ‘Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, said, “The Prophet never beatanyone with his hand, neither woman nor servant, except when he was fighting in the cause of Allah The Almighty. He also never took revenge from anyone who harmed him, but if the limits of Allah The Almighty were transgressed he would then take revenge for the sake of Allah The Exalted and Glorious.’’ [Muslim]

  

People nowadays are in desperate need to take up this noble moral and righteous character of Prophet, , as an example, for Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {Those are the ones whom Allah has guided, so from their guidance take an example.}[Quran 6:90]